Isopropanol

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is an volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a sharp musty odor like rubbing alcohol. It is an isomer of n-propanol, also known as dimethyl methanol and 2-propanol.  It is soluble in water, and also soluble in most organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, benzene, chloroform, etc. It can be miscible with alcohol, ether, chloroform and water. It can dissolve a variety of organic substances such as alkaloids, rubber, shellac, rosin, synthetic resin and some inorganic substances. It forms an azeotrope with water and is insoluble in salt solution. It can be ignited and burned at room temperature, and its steam and air can easily form an explosive mixture.Vapors are heavier than air and mildly irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat.

1. As a chemical raw material, it can be used to produce acetone, hydrogen peroxide, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isopropylamine, isopropyl ether, isopropyl chloride, isopropyl fatty acid esters, chlorinated isopropyl fatty acid esters, etc. In fine chemicals, it can be used to produce isopropyl nitrate, isopropyl xanthate, triisopropyl phosphite, aluminum isopropoxide, as well as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It is also used in the production of diacetone alcohol, isopropyl acetate, thymol and gasoline additives.

2. As an industrially inexpensive solvent with wide applications, it is freely miscible with water and has stronger dissolving power for lipophilic substances than ethanol. It can be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, rubber, coatings, shellac, alkaloids, etc., and in the production of coatings, inks, extractants and aerosols. It is also used as an antifreeze, cleaning agent, gasoline blending additive, pigment dispersant, printing and dyeing fixing agent, antifogging agent for glass and transparent plastics, diluent for adhesives, as well as antifreeze and dehydrating agent.

3. Used as a chromatographic standard for the determination of barium, calcium, copper, magnesium, nickel, potassium, sodium, strontium, nitrite, cobalt, etc.

4. In the electronics industry, it can be used as a cleaning and degreasing agent.

5. In the oil and fat industry, it is used as an extractant for cottonseed oil and for degreasing animal-derived tissue membranes.